To my Laurens,

Dear Lauren and Lauren, 

It is so long overdue that I write you a letter on my blog.  And what better week then your birthday week.  I was thinking this week how I started my blog over three years ago after you two convinced me to.  And I truly thought it would be a funny, short lived hobby that only you (and mom) would look at.  I'm so glad you convinced me to do it!

I can't tell you how thankful I am for both of you.  This last weekend the three of us and mom, went away for a night.  I've dreamed of having a girls night and weekend with all of us and am so happy we get to do things like this! We spent Friday night driving to Milwaukee, going to dinner, stopping at Kohls and enjoying the hot tub.  Saturday we got to hear Glennon Melton speak, which was so good, and then enjoyed Starbucks, lunch and outlet mall shopping.  I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you girls and am so lucky to have you as sisters. 

The one picture from inside the high school where Glennon spoke (sorry for ruining it)

Lauren - 
I still can't believe you live by me.  Soon to be less than five minutes away.  It was honestly a wish of mine for years and years and I thought it would never come true.  You are my best friend, and would be even if we weren't related. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't text you at all hours, have your sympathy for the hard parts of motherhood, or to laugh at my lame jokes.  I think you are funny, compassionate, sincere and loyal.  Thank you for encouraging me, for cheering me on in things from this blog to the marathon to motherhood.  I love being able to parent near you and love on each other's kids.  You are amazing aunt, friend, mother and I am so lucky to have you in my life.  Happy birthday sweet sister.  I love you so much. 

Lauren in law -
I feel like we hit the sister in law jackpot.  I couldn't imagine Jacob being married to anyone else and gained a sister, friend and amazing aunt through you.  You are hilarious, full of joy, generous and caring.  I can't even explain how much I appreciate how you love Addi.  I don't think you could show me you love me better than by loving Addilyn.  I can't tell you how many times she says Aunt Lo during the week and how excited she gets when I tell her you're coming over.  Thank you for babysitting so often and for being such a fun, loving, amazing aunt. I seriously don't know what we'd do with out you and hope you know how much we appreciate you.  I'm so thankful you fit into our family so well.  I love how you're not afraid to say whatever you are thinking, and how you are open about everything.  (Thanks for putting Jacob in his place too!)  I'm so happy to have you has one of my friends and not just my sister in law.  We love you so much and can't imagine our family without you.  

Happy birthday Lauren and Lauren! I can't say enough how lucky I feel to have both of you in my life.  I love you both!

A wish come true

I've been waiting for a few months to write this post and can't believe that it's actually going to happen.  My sister and her family are moving here in one week!  
If I had three wishes they have always been (1) to be able to fall asleep the second I went to bed, regardless of noises, snoring, thoughts, etc. and to stay asleep until I needed to wake up (2) to be able to stay at home with my kids and not have to worry about money and (3) for my sister to live near me.  
Since I was in 8th grade my sister and I have never lived in the same state and I honestly never thought it would happen.  I am still in disbelief that we will be living within ten minutes of each other.  
I can't even say how much I appreciate my relationship with my sister.  She is my best friend, an amazing aunt, a good listener, great advice giver, encouraging, funny and I love spending time with her.  And I can't even wait to benefit from all these things in person.  

I have dreamed of having Addilyn grow up with her cousins and it makes my heart so happy that she'll never remember anything different.  I can't even wait to babysit my nieces and nephew on a regular basis, to have cousin sleepovers, to watch the Bachelor and Scandal together, to go shopping, to kill the dreaded hours together of 4:00-5:30 when daddy gets home from work, to work out together, weekly dinners as a family and so many other things!  
Lauren I can't even wait for you to live here.  Thanks for making one of my three wishes come true!! Now I can replace it with something like wanting all sweets to be healthy.  Life will be even better with your family here!  

Dear Lauren,

top: target   pants: old navy   shoes: kohls   necklace: groopdealz

I loved this tank top so much that I bought a shirt just like it from Target.  For only $6 I'm wishing I bought it in other colors.  
I think your son has the best dance moves of anyone.  I sure hope he can teach Addilyn how to shake her booty.   

On the other hand I hope that Lena does NOT teach Addilyn her poor sleeping skills.  While this facebook status of yours gave me a chuckle, I know that you were not laughing about it at the time: 
Lena is refusing to go to sleep. She gets mad, takes off her clothes, throws them across the room, and crawls out of her crib and runs into the hallway. We put her back in bed. On repeat. Literally for hours. Someday this story will probably amuse me greatly. Not today folks, not today.
I got the cutest headband for Addilyn last week and think you need one for Lena.  I've wanted her to have one of these turban style headbands for awhile and was so happy to find this one from the etsy shop AzyMae. 

Her headbands are so cute, plus much cheaper than a lot I've seen.  This one is only $6.50 and you can use code LaurenandLauren and get 10% off.  I want Addilyn to own this one and these ones too. 

I have always wished that you lived here, but since having a baby I wish it even more.   Only two more weeks until you come here.  Addilyn can't wait to met you and her cousins! 

I love you Lauren!
Love,

Dear Lauren

pants: walmart   shirt: shadeclothing   vest: tjmaxx  boots: dsw   necklace: made by me

1.  After loving my black pair of jeggings that I wrote about last week, I went back and bought the mint pair.  $10 each means I may need another color too.  
2. I really want a pair of cute rainboots. I know you have a polka dot pair and I want to copy. 

both from Target

3. It was SO good to see you this last weekend in California.  While for a sad reason, it was an extra blessing to get an unplanned weekend with you.  It's rare that us three siblings get to spend time alone together and I loved it. 

A highlight would definitely be you getting to feel a tiny baby kick.  Our baby is already lucky to have the best aunt and will love you so much! 
I love you Lauren!
Love,
Linking up to: pleated poppy  &  random wednesday & look what I got

Dear Lauren,

I've been wanting a floral infinity scarf and finally found some fabric this weekend and made one!  

Now if only I could find a fabric with elephants on it.

shirt: old navy (similar)   jeans: kohls   boots: dsw (similar)  scarf: DIY

It always takes me a few days to get used to my new hair, but I think I am starting to like the darker color.
Unfortunately this wind makes it look like a slight mess.

I can't even wait to see you on Thursday.  Over three months is far too long. 

The other day you sent me this picture with this text: 

"Just getting Lena a snack and turn around and this is what I find.  

Travis why are you naked?

 'It seemed like a good idea.'"

and I honestly have looked at it and laughed about it everyday since. 

(Travis - I know that seeing this picture now will make you laugh and only think more highly off yourself.  Agreed.  But by the time it doesn't, I promise I'll take it down!)

I can't wait to give you these shoes that I found at Target for $4.50.  Now you, me and Lauren-in-law will be matching. 

Last week you told me that you told one of your clients about what I am going through during this infertility journey and how it has made me a more beautiful person, and you said you were able to use my story to encourage someone else. 

Thank you for saying that.  For reminding me that God is using me.  For reminding me that He will continue to use this struggle to grow me and others too.  

and for reminding me how blessed I am to have a sister who loves me, prayers for and encourages me. 

I love you Lauren and have the biggest hug waiting for you, Travis and Lena Thursday afternoon! 

Love, 

Linking up to: random wednesday  pleated poppy  rolled up pretty  saw it pinned it

Dear Lauren,

dress: shabby apple   belt: discovery  bracelets: target

Thank you for helping me pick out this dress from the gift card I won for Shabby Apple. 

I love that this dress feels like a cotton robe, which is extremely comfortable.  I don't like that this dress clings to every ounce of me and due to the wrap dress and high slit, I feel like I could have a wardrobe malfunction easily.   

Thank you for your fashion advice even from far away.  

I do wonder where your styling help was when I was little.  I found this picture of me the other day and am really wondering what is going on with my bangs that take up half my head.  

But I do have to say I would probably still wear this dress if I had it and if it fit me. 

The other day when I was playing scrabble I could almost spell your least favorite word: factoid.

I took a picture just for you. 

Not that I really need the reminder, but your recent health scare gave me a good reminder of how much I love you and need you as my best friend. 

You are one of the greatest blessings in my life Lauren Kay!

I love you!

Love, 

rae gun ramblings     pleated poppy

   rolled up pretty

Dear Lauren,

 skirt: old navy ($8)  shoes: old navy ($1)  shirt: loft  ($8)  necklace: ?

Aren't you happy that we bought the same skirt on the same day in two different Old Navy's, one in Illinois and one in Vermont without even knowing it? 

And aren't you so happy that now we can copy Kristin Cavallari? 

I'm sure she spent a lot more money on her skirt then we did.  

I just forgot my sunglasses in my picture.  

Can you believe that I just reached 500 followers?  I'm still pretty shocked that anyone besides you and Lauren and mom read my blog.  

And not that I want summer to go any faster, but I am pretty excited that in 4 weeks we get to see you and your sweet family to go camping together for a week! 

I love you Lauren!

Love,

Dear Lauren and Lauren,

dress: discovery (worn here)  shirt: jcpenney  necklace: old navy

It figures that my Laurens not only share a name,
but have birthdays within two days of each other.  

Dear Lauren, 

I know I say this often but you are truly my best friend.   I am so thankful to have a sister that I can laugh with, talk about anything to, and get encouragement and advice from.  I'm thankful that we share a love of coffee, blogs, Target trail mix, shopping, clearance clothes, and desserts. 

I admire the kind of friend, mother and woman of God you are.  You are one of the greatest blessings in my life and I am beyond thankful for our relationship.  

Dear Lauren in Law, 

I couldn't be happier with the woman my brother married.  Not only did he get lucky, but our family did too!  I love your sweet, funny and loving personality.  I am beyond happy that you live 5 minutes from me and can't wait to spend time more time with you.  

I admire you for your outgoing personality, your humor and your attitude.  I am so lucky to have an amazing sister in law who I know will be one of my closest friends.  

Happy birthday Lauren and Lauren.  I love you both SO much and know I am one lucky sister!

Love, 

Dear Lauren and Lauren,

dress: banana republic outlet  belt: old navy  necklace: world market

I went to World Market last weekend to buy Chris some olives, cheese and crackers for his birthday.
(Yep, we roll out the expensive gifts around here for birthdays.)

And I found this necklace for $6.00.  I love it! 

I am SO excited for this wedding weekend ahead!

It's funny because I almost feel like I've been more involved in your wedding Lauren then in my own.  Maybe that's not true and maybe I don't remember well enough since it was seven years ago.  But I was also pretty much a baby when I got married and my mom helped me an unbelievable amount, so maybe it is true.  

Either way I've been looking forward to this weekend for a long time!

Lauren I can't wait to see you and give you a huge hug tomorrow night.  

Lauren in law you will make a stunning bride and I can't wait to see you marry my brother.  

Getting to be with both of my Laurens is right up top on my happy scale. 

Love you both! 

Love,

pleated poppy    what I wore
whatever wednesday   what I love wednesday

Dear Lauren,

shirt: Old Navy  skirt: Target  boots: dsw  

I am glad you convinced me to buy this shirt many months ago, even though it wasn't on clearance.  I definitely got my money's worth.  Worn here, here and here.  

I wore the bracelet that we bought in Mexico two summers ago.  I so badly wish we were going back this summer!

(I think this is my brother's first appearance on my blog)

I think I need some serious psychology work done in my classroom.  I may just have some of the weirdest students this year that ever existed.  Here's an example:

After many times of me asking these two girls to put away a piece of red string that they were always playing with, I told them they needed to leave it at home.  This string had a name and was treated like a pet. 

Not too long ago the string came back.  I told the girls they could not bring it back and one of them asked in all seriousness, 

"What if it is invisible?" 

To which I raised my eyebrows and widened my eyes and she replied, 

"I mean what if I put an invisibility cloak over it?" 

Invisible or not.  Leave it at home. 

You may be thinking that these girls just have a good imagination.  If you interacted with them daily you would think it was way past a good imagination and into incredibly weird.  

Want another really weird story?  Read this post.  Same girls.  

They also have secret codes and half the time I'm convinced they are saying and writing mean things about me.  

I think I'm turning into a crabby paranoid teacher. 

Maybe I'm the one that needs the therapy. 

Either way Lauren, come do some work in my classroom with your mad counseling skills.  

I'm starting to feel like the end of the year is far away.  

I love you and miss you and can't wait to see you in less than 4 weeks!

P.S. Want to win this headband from my shop?  Check out Melanie's blog. 

Linking up to:

  Rolled up Pretty  momma go round

Rae Gun Ramblings
pleated poppy  the letter 4